The couple had believed themselves to be in a secluded spot when they decided to strip off for some fun in the sun while taking a short break from their Royal duties last week. But a sneaky pap with a long lens camera soon found a way to invade their alone time.

The tabloid mag published pictures of Kate walking around topless, sunbathing and rubbing suncream into our future King's back as he browsed on his iPad. Hardly shocking behaviour...

The British media, wary about an ongoing media ethics inquiry triggered by revelations of illegal phone hacking and other naughty newspaper behaviour, has generally respected palace guidelines stressing that William and Kate should not be photographed when they are not in public.

Editor Mike O’Kane told the BBC the photos weren’t included in the edition distributed in Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. Then the newspaper’s website came up as “temporarily unavailable” Saturday.. hmm.

O’Kane defended his newspaper, saying that Ireland did not view the Royal Family the same way as the British:

“She’s not our future queen,” he told the BBC. “The duchess would be no different to any other celeb pics we would get in, for example Rihanna or Lady Gaga.”

Meanwhile, Northern and Shell, the British company that co-owns the Irish Daily Star, and publishes its British sister tabloid The Daily Star, said it was “profoundly dismayed” the Dublin newspaper had run the pictures. We are too - so unnecessary!

The Chi cover, featuring three pictures of a topless princess, was unveiled Saturday in Italian newspapers and television under the headline “Court Scandal: The Queen is Nude!” Shock horror, she has boobs - like every other woman on this planet!

But the news could worsen for the Royals, as the French Closer editor Laurence Pieau seemed to imply they also have SEX photos of the royal couple which they've decided not to print - for now:

“I won’t hide the fact that there are more intimate pictures that exist that we haven’t published and will not publish. These are images full of joy, not degrading."